Back Porch Oyster Bar

Reviews 4

JO

Jonathan Boisjolie

Visited on a Saturday evening. Got sat right away and we got fantastic service from our server. She was very friendly and knowledgable about the food and wine. Huge wine by the bottle list. Ordered cold water oysters and they were fresh and very good. Ordered the surf and turf for our main entrees (lobster and beef filet). First noticed overly garlic sauce, cold mashed potatoes, cold lobster that was previously frozen (likely because it was stringy and rubbery), and the final clue we made a mistake was the overcooked steak. Both my wife and I ordered the steaks medium rare. Honestly I never return food, but after all of those issues I was hopeful for a properly cooked steak at the very minimum. Our server was great and agreed with us and took the steaks back. Few seconds later another server came out with the same steaks and said the chef wanted to make sure we saw the "color" again under a flashlight because the lights in the restaurant can change our perception of the steaks. My wife told him she had a bite and it was dry and over cooked. The serve then said "you know how chefs are" which does not sit well with me since it was clear the chef did not believe we were correct. I also noticed my steak was a little more red since sending it back (still not medium rare) and Im 100% positive the chef squeeze the steak to make it appear it was juicy and bleeding. We said we still believed they were overcooked and the server took them back. A few seconds later the server came back to reiterate the chef cooked the steaks to 140 degrees and they were medium rare. New steaks arrived and they were severely undercooked. That type of arrogance assured them I will never visit again and I will be an advocate against this restaurant for anyone that asks me for dining recommendations in Dahlonega. To the chef, you should learn to communicate properly with customers, youre never too busy to engage with customers personally, unless you lack humility. Rather you sent another server, beyond the one we were working with, to do your dirty work. I highly recommend the owners look somewhere else for a quality chef if you want your business to survive. Or stick to bar/pub foods that are fried and simple to execute. Also I highly suggest training your staff on how to turn unfavorable guest experiences into positive situations. You missed and opportunity to save our experience. Rather than thinking the guests is wrong perhaps take a step back and try to over deliver. Lets be clear, your restaurant was empty at 8pm on a beautiful Saturday evening. We were not looking for Ruths Chris. We were really hopeful to find a nice spot we could visit often since moving to the area. Finally we spent $180 happily, but I suggest others to not waist your time and money.

LI

Lindsey Shoemaker

I dont typically write reviews for restaurants, or anything for that matter, but I felt the need to write one for Back Porch Oyster Bar! My boyfriend and I celebrated our first Valentines Day together and we made the decision to spend dinner there. We sat on the first floor, but, apparently, there is an oyster bar on the second floor that gives this cute restaurant the name "oyster bar." It seems like a very casual place (because of attire the servers/guests wear, and the general aura of the place). and, upon first walking in, we both thought we were in store for some generic fried fish or chicken and some decent service. Boy, were we wrong. Our waiter, Kyle, was very knowledgeable regarding the menu and was so friendly and down-to-earth. The menu was a bit pricey, but, considering the occasion, it was worth it. I ordered the Sea Bass Special and my boyfriend ordered the Chilean Sea Bass. He got a cup of the Crab Bisque (and, of course, I had to try some) to start out and we split the hot crab dip. First off, the crab bisque was so fluffy and delicious--exactly what one would want from a bisque. The crab dip was delicious as well, but the real tastiness came from the chips that were served with it. Not your typical tortilla chips; it was obvious that they were made by the chef. Delicious. Because our meal was taking a little while (not even that bad of a wait, honestly), our waiter brought out a complimentary plate of peel-and-eat shrimp! They were delicious as well... A little difficult to peel, but thats shrimp. The Sea Bass Special was incredible. It was so much better than described When it first came out, it didnt seem like a lot of food, but it was so filling and it actually made you feel healthy. While I didnt try my boyfriends Chilean Sea Bass, he told me it was incredible. It, too, was aesthetically appealing and filling. If you have a big appetite or are okay with leftovers galore, stop by and try it! The chef is truly a talented individual. I wish I could have thanked him personally for our absolutely incredible meal.

ER

Erin Palmer

My friend and I decided to eat here after a long day of hiking. We looked at the menu beforehand and saw that it was pricey but thought, "Hey, were on vacation and just hiked all day - were willing to splurge a little on a nice seafood dinner." I dont mind spending a little more on a meal if the food and service are great. We were seated after about 15 minutes (not a bad wait, especially considering how busy it was). By "seated", I mean we were led to a 2 top, then brusquely asked to get up again and move to a 4 top in the middle of the dining room. Once there, we sat for about 5 minutes watching the hostess and manager scramble to seat people while other new guests stood around in the dining room awkwardly waiting for tables to be cleared, etc. Eventually a waiter came by to see if wed been helped. He took our drink orders and made sure we knew he wasnt supposed to wait on us, but he would anyway as if he was doing us a favor. He was gone for another ten minutes. By this point our dreams of a soothing dinner with wine had dissipated. We were ready to get out of there as quickly as possible, so we bypassed the $30 special and ordered a bowl of crab bisque and the ahi tuna appetizer. My friends bisque was ok. My tuna was dry. The chaotic environment and feeling like no one cared that we were there killed our appetites. Perhaps they were short-staffed that night - I get it, it happens. Still, the service and quality of food did not merit the high prices.

KA

Karen Al Momani

This is one of my favorite Dahlonega restaurants! The food is always fresh tasting. If you didnt know better, youd think you were dining on the coast! That is quite an accomplishment for a restaurant in the mountains! I enjoy fried oysters, and find theirs to be battered light and fluffy, and not weighted down by grease. The portions are always very generous. I take home food whenever I go there. I am fortunate to live locally, so Im in as often as possible. At times, there are specials offered that are not listed on the menu. This gives you an opportunity to taste entrees that are unique and truly special. Dont forget to save room for dessert! They make their own, and you can tell! All are delightful. If you are in the Dahlonega area, come by and enjoy! The servers will always give you royal treatment. An additional plus, if there is anything that you are not satisfied with, all you have to do is talk with your server. They will take care of you immediately, and without hesitation. Coming to Back Porch Oyster Bar is always a pleasure!